The Blubber

Trump’s Greenland Ambition Becomes Formal U.S. Policy as White House Advances Acquisition Plan

President Donald Trump’s long-standing ambition to bring Greenland under U.S. control has moved beyond rhetoric, with the White House now pursuing a formal plan to acquire the vast Arctic island from Denmark.

The initiative, which engages multiple cabinet departments, reflects Trump’s years of interest in Greenland, a territory whose economic and strategic significance has grown as climate change accelerates Arctic ice melt.

At 836,330 square miles, Greenland presents Trump—once a Manhattan real estate developer—with what he may view as one of the most historic land acquisitions of all time.

Despite adamant opposition from Danish officials, who insist Greenland is not for sale and cannot be annexed, Trump has been unwavering.

“We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and we’re working with everybody involved to try and get it,” Trump said during a recent address to Congress.

“One way or the other, we’re going to get it,” he added.

Denmark’s leaders and many Greenlanders have reacted angrily to Trump’s repeated suggestions of buying—or seizing—the island. Still, the White House is pushing ahead.

According to a U.S. official, the National Security Council has convened several meetings to operationalize Trump’s remarks and has distributed specific directives across federal agencies.

While Trump has occasionally hinted at using force, the official said military options were never seriously considered. Instead, the policy focuses on persuasion, particularly through a public relations campaign aimed at convincing Greenland’s population of 57,000 to request U.S. affiliation themselves.

Advisers have reportedly discussed launching advertising and social media initiatives designed to influence public opinion on the island, another source familiar with the matter told reporters.

Winning over Greenlanders may prove difficult. In last month’s election, a pro-independence opposition party advocating closer ties with the U.S. came in second—with only about 25% of the vote.

As part of its messaging strategy, the U.S. reportedly plans to emphasize Greenland’s shared Inuit heritage with Alaska’s native population, nearly 2,500 miles away. An official noted that Greenland’s Inuit residents are descendants of people who migrated from Alaska centuries ago, and the island’s official language stems from Inuit dialects originating in Arctic Canada.